Ketogenic Diet:What to Eat and Avoid

What to Eat and Avoid on the Ketogenic Diet: A Complete Food List and 7-Day Sample Menu

If you’re looking to get a jump start on your health and fitness goals this year, you may be thinking about trying the ketogenic diet. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase before — it’s a huge diet buzzword — but aren’t sure what it means. Here’s a primer: The ketogenic diet is an eating plan that drives your body into ketosis, a state where the body uses fat as a primary fuel source (instead of carbohydrates), says Stacey Mattinson, RDN, who is based in Austin, Texas.

When you’re eating the foods that get you there (more on that in a minute), your body can enter a state of ketosis in one to three days, she adds. During the diet, the majority of calories you consume come from fat, with a little protein and very little carbohydrates. Ketosis also happens if you eat a very low-calorie diet — think doctor-supervised, only when medically recommended diets of 600 to 800 total calories.

The Potential Benefits and Risks of the Keto Diet

There are three instances where there’s research to back up a ketogenic diet, including to help control type 2 diabetes, as part of epilepsy treatment, or for weight loss, says Mattinson. “In terms of diabetes, there is some promising research showing that the ketogenic diet may improve glycemic control. It may cause a reduction in A1C — a key test for diabetes that measures a person’s average blood sugar control over two to three months — something that may help you reduce medication use,” she says.

One major downside to the ketogenic diet regarding diabetes is that you’re eating a lot of fat, and that fat may be saturated, which is unhealthy. Because people with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, there’s concern that the saturated fat in the diet may drive up LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol levels, and further increase the odds of heart problems. If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor before attempting a ketogenic diet. They may recommend a different weight-loss diet for you, like a reduced-calorie diet. Those with epilepsy should also consult their doctor before using this as part of their treatment plan.

In terms of weight loss, you may be interested in trying the ketogenic diet because you’ve heard that it can make a big impact right away. And that’s true. “Ketogenic diets will cause you to lose weight within the first week,” says Mattinson. She explains that your body will first use up all of its glycogen stores (the storage form of carbohydrate). With depleted glycogen, you’ll drop water weight. While it can be motivating to see the number on the scale go down (often dramatically), do keep in mind that most of this is water loss initially.

But the keto diet can be effective over time. One review suggested the keto diet can spur fat loss in obese people when used for a couple of weeks and up to one year. A meta-analysis noted that one reason for weight loss is likely that keto diets suppress hunger.

The downside to a ketogenic diet for weight loss is the difficulty maintaining it. “Studies show that weight loss results from being on a low-carb diet for more than 12 months tend to be the same as being on a normal, healthy diet,” says Mattinson. While you may be eating more satiating fats (like peanut butter, regular butter, or avocado), you’re also way more limited in what’s allowed on the diet, which can make everyday situations, like eating dinner with family or going out with friends, far more difficult. Because people often find it tough to sustain, it’s easy to rely on it as a short-term diet rather than a long-term lifestyle.

Before starting, ask yourself what is really realistic for you, Mattinson suggests. Then get your doctor’s okay. You may also work with a local registered dietitian nutritionist to limit potential nutrient deficiencies and talk about vitamin supplementation, as you won’t be eating whole grains, dairy, or fruit, and will eliminate many veggies. “A diet that eliminates entire food groups is a red flag to me. This isn’t something to take lightly or dive into headfirst with no medical supervision,” she says.

What to Keep in Mind When Creating Your Ketogenic Meal Plan

If you’ve decided to move forward in trying the keto diet, you will want to stick to the parameters of the eating plan. Roughly 60 to 80 percent of your calories will come from fats. That means you’ll eat meats, fats, and oils, and a very limited amount of nonstarchy vegetables, she says. (This is different from a traditional low-carb diet, as even fewer carbs are allowed on the keto diet.)

The remaining calories in the keto diet come from protein — about 1 gram (g) per kilogram of body weight, so a 140-pound woman would need about 64 g of protein total. As for carbs: “Every body is different, but most people maintain ketosis with between 20 and 50 g of net carbs per day,” says Mattinson. Total carbohydrates minus fiber equals net carbs, she explains.

One thing to remember: “It’s easy to get ‘kicked out’ of ketosis,” says Mattinson. Meaning, if you eat something as small as a serving of blueberries, your body could revert to burning carbohydrates for fuel rather than fat.

A Complete Keto Diet Food Guide to Follow

Wondering what fits into a keto diet — and what doesn’t? “It’s so important to know what foods you’ll be eating before you start, and how to incorporate more fats into your diet,” says Kristen Mancinelli, RD, author of The Ketogenic Diet: A Scientifically Proven Approach to Fast, Healthy Weight Loss, who is based in New York City. We asked her for some guidelines.

Protein

Liberally: (That said, ketogenic diets aren’t high in protein, they focus on fat, so these should all be consumed in moderation.)

Grass-fed beef

Fish, especially fatty fish, like salmon

Dark meat chicken

Occasionally:

Bacon

Low-fat proteins, like skinless chicken breast and shrimp. These are great to include in your keto diet, but add a sauce on top for some fat rather than eating plain.

Never:

Cold cuts with added sugar (read the label!)

Meat that has been marinated in sugary sauces

Fish or chicken nuggets

Oil and Fat

Liberally:

Avocado oil

Olive oil

Coconut oil

Butter

Heavy cream

Occasionally: (Limit your consumption, which should be easy to do when avoiding packaged foods, which these are often found in.)

Sunflower oil

Safflower oil

Corn oil

Never:

Margarine

Artificial trans fats

Fruits and Veggies

Liberally:

Avocado

Leafy greens, like spinach and arugula

Celery

Asparagus

Occasionally: (These are still great choices, but you’ll also need to count these carbs.)

Leeks

Spaghetti squash

Eggplant

Never:

Potatoes

Corn

Raisins

Nuts and Seeds

Liberally:

Walnuts

Almonds

Flax and chia seeds

Occasionally:

Unsweetened nut butters (almond or peanut butter)

Cashews

Pistachios

Never:

Trail mixes with dried fruit

Sweetened nut or seed butters

Chocolate-covered nuts

Dairy Products

Liberally:

Cheddar cheese

Blue cheese

Feta cheese

Occasionally:

Full-fat cottage cheese

Full-fat plain Greek yogurt

Full-fat ricotta cheese

Never:

Milk

Sweetened nonfat yogurt

Ice cream

Sweeteners

Liberally: Practice moderation with sweeteners.

Occasionally:

Stevia

Erythritol

Xylitol

Never:

Agave

Honey

Maple syrup

White and brown sugars

Condiments and Sauces

Liberally:

Guacamole

Lemon butter sauce

Mayonnaise (ensure there’s no sugar added)

Occasionally:

Raw garlic

Tomato sauce (look for those with no added sugar)

Balsamic vinegar

Never:

Barbecue sauce

Ketchup

Honey mustard

Drinks

Liberally:

Water

Almond milk

Bone broth

Plain tea

Occasionally:

Black coffee (watch caffeine consumption)

Unsweetened carbonated water (limit only if bubbles make you bloated)

Zero-calorie drinks

Never:

Soda

Fruit juice

Lemonade

Herbs and Spices

Liberally: (All herbs and spices fit in a keto diet, but if you’re using large amounts, Mancinelli recommends counting the carbs.)

Salt (salt foods to taste)

Pepper

Thyme, oregano, paprika, and cayenne

Occasionally: (These are still great choices, but contain some carbs.)

Ground ginger

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Never:

Herbs and spices are generally okay to use in small amounts to add flavor to foods.

Supplements

Consider taking:

Fiber

Multivitamin

Optional: (These help you produce ketones more quickly, but Mancinelli says she has no opinion either way on recommending you take them or not.)

MCT oil

Exogenous ketones

A Detailed Ketogenic Diet Food List to Follow

Following are some of the best foods to eat on the keto diet, along with their serving sizes and an explanation of why they’re good for people following this eating approach.

Ground Beef

Benefits: Ground beef (made with 70 percent lean meat and 30 percent fat) is a higher-fat choice — but that’s the point here. You’ll also get an excellent source of vitamin B12, which is necessary to keep energy levels up.

New York Strip Steak

Per 3-oz serving: 224 calories, 0g net carbs, 22g protein, 14g fat

Benefits: You’ll get an impressive amount of muscle-building protein plus satiating fat in this option. It’s also rich in zinc, a mineral that promotes proper thyroid functioning.

Everyday Health

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Healthy Office Snacks(part 1)

Working eight or more hours a day can make it difficult to eat healthfully unless you plan ahead. Research shows that eating every four hours helps to keep your metabolism charged and your energy level high. Before you dig in your drawer for spare change and head to the vending machine, plan ahead and stash low-calorie, nutritious snacks in a cabinet, drawer, or your briefcase. Each of these snacks has less than 200 calories and are sure to satisfy when the 3 p.m. cravings hit.

Whole Wheat Crackers and Peanut Butter

Save your quarters by skipping the vending machine’s peanut butter crackers and packing your own nutritious snack. For a hunger-curbing option, try 10 multigrain wheat crackers (such as Multigrain Wheat Thins) and a tablespoon of peanut butter. This nutrient-rich snack rings in at just 193 calories and offers 2 grams of fiber. The combination of complex carbs and protein help to keep your blood sugar stable and keep you feeling full longer.

Fruit

Grab an apple, banana, pear, grapes, or other portable fruit as you dash out the door every morning. If you grab a different fruit every day (and change with the seasons), you’ll obtain a good variety of nutrients plus fiber, and won’t get bored with the same old snack. The average serving of fruit is around 70 calories so pair with a cup of fat-free milk (about 90 calories) for a protein boost as well as extra calcium and vitamin D. This protein and fiber combination will keep you feeling full and prevent mindless eating.

Popcorn with Parmesan

Take regular bagged popcorn to the next level by topping with 2 tablespoons of shredded Parmesan cheese. The nutty flavor of the popcorn pairs well with the rich flavor of Parmesan resulting in a quick, 150-calorie snack. Simply top 3½ cups of 94%-fat-free popcorn with the cheese and your snack is served. If you don’t have an office fridge to stash your Parm, nosh on just the popcorn for only 100 calories. This salty snack counts as one of your three daily servings of whole grains and helps to increase your energy and mood.

Nuts

Make the swap and choose nuts over chips for a crunchy alternative. Nuts are rich in heart-healthy fats but are calorically dense (about 170 calories per ounce) so measure out an ounce (about 24 almonds) and stick to that amount instead of feasting on the entire bag. Stash premeasured baggies of nuts in an office drawer or in your purse to nibble on when the 3 p.m. hunger pains hit. Almonds and other nuts are a naturally high source of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and potassium and are rich in protein and fiber.

Instant Oatmeal

When you’re in a rush at work and want something warm and comforting, heat a packet of plain instant oatmeal (just 110 calories) in the microwave for a quick and satisfying treat. Choose plain oatmeal and add your own flavorings to control the calorie and sugar content. Top with a 42 calorie mini box of raisins for a sweet flavor and added nutrients or sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Doubling as a fiber-rich breakfast or daytime snack, oatmeal helps lower cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Mini Pitas with Hummus

Use mini pita pockets to scoop up creamy hummus. Whether you make your own hummus or choose a favorite brand at the grocery store, hummus is made from chickpeas, a great source of soluble fiber. This soluble fiber helps to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Pair one serving of hummus, 2 tablespoons, with 3 mini pita rounds for a 150 calorie snack. If you want a protein boost, fill the mini pita pockets with an ounce of low-sodium deli ham or turkey. The fiber and protein combo gives the snack some staying power to keep you feeling full longer.

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